Health & Safety
The health and safety of players in our programs is of utmost importance to First Touch Soccer.
Concussion Awareness & Heading
Concussion training is built into First Touch Soccer's onboarding process for staff. In addition, under the directive of AYSO & US Soccer, we follow these guidelines:
Remove
An athlete who experiences a blow to the head or body should immediately be removed from play and should not return to play until he/she is evaluated. When in doubt, the athlete should sit out.
Evaluate
Have a health care professional evaluate the athlete immediately. Do not try to judge the severity of the injury yourself.
Rest
Never rush a return to play. A return to play should only occur after an athlete has been cleared by a medical professional. If you rush the return, a player is at significantly higher risk for more problems in the future.
Heading Policy
Heading is banned for all division players 11U (12U and below for programs without single age divisions) and below in both practices and matches. Heading for players in 14U is limited to a maximum of thirty (30) minutes per week with no more than 15-20 headers per player. There is no restriction on heading in matches.
Nutrition & Hydration
We all love the Southern California weather. But during the Summer months (our camp season) it's important players in our program are staying safe with proper nutrition & hydration. Water & snack breaks are always built into our coaching curriculums. We ask our staff to provide regular rest breaks for players.
In addition, to support our families, here are some resources from the Children's Hospital of Orange County. Our partners Recover 180 also provide delicious, low sugar, hydration beverages with a balanced blend of electrolytes and vitamins. These are a great addition to a Camper's lunch box to stay hydrated.
Lightning Policy
When there's a storm, with thunder or lightning, we immediately seek shelter. We resume activity no sooner than 30 minutes after the storm concludes.
Active Shooter Policy
In the event of an active shooter, our coaches are instructed to quickly determine the most reasonable way to protect the lives of the children/players and their own life. Staff are advised to be aware of their environment and any possible dangers, in addition to identifying emergency exit routes.
Background Checks
First Touch Soccer conducts State & Federal background checks of staff, through which we receive subsequent arrest notifications. For more information on First Touch Soccer's background check policy, please contact info@firsttouchsoccer.com.
CALIFORNIA: Bus. & Prof. Code § 18900.